Remote encoding center automation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A nontransitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations. The operations can include intercepting a request for manual processing of a mail piece image. The request can be transmitted by an originating MPE having failed to resolve the mail piece image. The request can be ignored and the mail piece scan image can be forwarded to an automated mail recognition system (AMRS). If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, a response, including a plurality of addressing data corresponding to the mail piece scan image, can be received from the AMRS. If the AMRS successfully resolved the image, at least a portion of the plurality of addressing data can be transmitted to the originating MPE. If the AMRS did not successfully resolve the image, the request can be forwarded to a manual mail recognition processing system.

Embodiments relate generally to mail processing and, more particularly,to remote encoding center automation systems and methods providingautomated mail piece image recognition processing to existing manualremote encoding centers.

Postal services, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), maysend large volumes of images of mail pieces that cannot be reliablyresolved with their primary automation equipment to Remote EncodingCenters (RECs). The Remote Encoding Centers (RECs) may employ many humanworkers who view the mail piece images and manually resolve the image bydetermining the correct addressing information associated with the mailpiece. Current automated mail recognition systems and methods may havehigher success rates than the automation equipment currently deployed inthe field by a postal service. Updating automation equipment currentlydeployed across a postal service's delivery area (for example the entireUnited States for the USPS) may not be technically feasible due totechnical limitations of the legacy components still in use and may notbe economically feasible due to deployment costs, contractualobligations, and/or the proprietary nature of some automation equipment.A need may exist to retrofit the existing Remote Encoding Centers (RECs)to provide improved automated mail recognition processing of all mailpiece images received by the Remote Encoding Centers (RECs) and manuallyprocessing of only those images that cannot be resolved by the improvedautomated mail recognition processing.

One embodiment includes a computer system configured to provideautomated mail recognition processing to a legacy manual mailrecognition processing system. The computer system can include aprocessor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory can storesoftware instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform operations. The operations can include receiving amanual mail recognition processing request from an originating mailprocessing component. The manual mail recognition processing request caninclude a mail piece scan image that the originating mail processingcomponent failed to automatically resolve an address in. The manual mailrecognition processing request can request manual processing of the mailpiece scan image by a human and the mail piece scan image can comprise adigital image of at least a portion of a mail piece. The digital imagecan capture a plurality of digital image addressing informationassociated with the mail piece. The operations can also include ignoringthe request for manual processing of the mail piece scan image by ahuman and performing automated mail recognition processing of the mailpiece scan image. If the automated mail recognition processing issuccessful, the automated mail recognition processing can includecreating a plurality of computer recognized address portionscorresponding to the plurality of digital image addressing informationassociated with the mail piece. If the automated mail recognitionprocessing is successful, a mail piece scan image processing result canbe created containing the plurality of computer recognized addressportions. If the automated mail recognition processing is successful andthe mail piece scan image processing results contains the plurality ofcomputer recognized address portions, the mail piece scan imageprocessing result can be transmitted to the originating mail processingcomponent. If the automated mail recognition processing is notsuccessful and the mail piece scan image processing results does notcontain the plurality of computer recognized address portions, the mailpiece scan image can be transmitted to the manual mail recognitionsystem. The manual mail recognition system can include a plurality ofhuman users performing manual mail recognition of the mail piece imageif the mail piece scan image is transmitted to the manual mailrecognition system.

Another embodiment can include a method for retrofitting a legacy manualmail recognition system with automated mail recognition processing. Themethod can include redirecting, at a network component, a mail piecescan image manual processing request to an automated recognitioninterception computer. The mail piece scan image manual processingrequest could have been transmitted by a requesting mail processingcomponent. The mail piece scan image manual processing request caninclude a mail piece scan image. The mail piece scan image can include adigital image that can represent at least a portion of a mail piece. Themail piece scan image manual processing request can request manual mailrecognition processing to be performed on the mail piece scan image by ahuman. The method can also include receiving, at the automatedrecognition interception computer, a mail piece scan image manualprocessing request. The mail piece scan image can be processed,including creating a plurality of computer recognized address portionsif the processing is successful. The plurality of computer recognizedaddress portions can correspond to the addressing information of themail piece captured in the mail piece scan image. A mail piece scanimage processing result can be generated that includes at least aportion of the plurality of computer recognized address portions if theprocessing was successful. The method can include transmitting, from theautomated recognition interception computer, the mail piece scan imageprocessing result to the requesting mail processing component if theprocessing was successful. The method can also include transmitting,from the automated recognition interception computer, the mail piecescan image to a manual recognition system for manual processing if theprocessing was unsuccessful.

Another embodiment can include a nontransitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by acomputer, cause the computer to perform a series of operations. Theoperations can include intercepting a manual mail recognition processingrequest requesting manual processing of a mail piece image. The manualmail recognition processing request can have been transmitted by anoriginating mail processing component that can have failed to resolvethe mail piece image. After receiving the manual mail recognitionprocessing request, the manual mail recognition processing request canbe ignored and instead the mail piece scan image can be forwarded to anautomated mail recognition processing system. The operations can includereceiving an automated mail recognition processing response from theautomated mail recognition processing system. The automated mailrecognition processing response can include a plurality of addressingdata corresponding to the mail piece scan image if the automated mailrecognition processing system was able to successfully resolve the mailpiece image. At least a portion of the plurality of addressing data canbe transmitted to the originating mail processing component if theautomated mail recognition processing system was able to successfullyresolve the mail piece scan image. The manual mail recognitionprocessing request can be forwarded to a legacy manual mail recognitionprocessing system if the automated mail recognition processing systemwas not able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automatedremote encoding system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE requestintercepting automated remote encoding system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE requestintercepting automated remote encoding system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer requestintercepting automated remote encoding system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer requestintercepting automated remote encoding system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automatedremote encoding system embedded within a keyer control center system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of anautomated remote encoding system embedded within a keyer desk system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for retrofitting alegacy manual remote encoding center with automated mail recognitionprocessing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for injectingautomated mail recognition processing into an existing manual RECsystem.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for embeddingautomated mail recognition processing into an existing manual RECsystem.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automatedremote encoding system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automatedremote encoding system. System 100 can include a REC (remote encodingcenter) automation system 102. The REC automation system 102 cantransmit data to and/or receive data from a plurality of MPE (mailprocessing equipment) 104, 106, and 108. The REC automation system 102can also transmit data to and/or receive data from a manual REC (remoteencoding center) (or manual remote encoding center), 110.

In operation, the plurality of MPE 104, 106, and 108 perform mailrecognition processing of mail piece scan images and selectunrecognizable images for manual processing by the manual REC 110. TheREC automation system 102 can capture and/or intercept those mail piecescan images selected for manual processing before they reach the manualREC 110 and perform automated mail recognition processing of the mailpiece scan images according to the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and10. The REC automation system 102 can be software and/or hardware (e.g.,a computer programmed for REC automation). Each of the mail processingequipment 104, 106, and 108 can physically reside in one or more mailprocessing sites located across the country. The manual REC 110 caninclude a keyer control center and a plurality of keyer desks as shownin FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

It will be appreciated that the REC automation system 102 can performthe automated mail recognition processing by utilizing barcode reading,optical character recognition, database queries, and/or any other mailautomation techniques. Also, the REC automation system 102 can delegatethe mail recognition processing to a centralized mail recognitionprocessing system by transmitting the mail piece scan image to thecentralized mail recognition processing system and receiving aprocessing result from the centralized mail recognition processingsystem.

It will also be appreciated that the REC automation system 102 cantransmit data to and/or receive data from the manual REC 110 and/or theplurality of MPE 104, 106, and 108 and/or a centralized mail recognitionprocessing system via one or more networks, such as but not limited to alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, anintranet, or any other wired or wireless network now known or laterdeveloped, or any combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that the REC automation system 102 can transmitdata to the plurality of MPE 104, 106, and 108 in a manner that emulatesthe manual REC 110 such that the plurality of MPE 104, 106, and 108 canreceive the data as though it had been transmitted by the manual REC110. For example, the REC automation system 102 can transmit data to theplurality of MPE 104, 106, and 108 according to the existing manual RECinterface protocol.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE requestintercepting automated remote encoding system. System 200 can include anMPE (mail processing equipment) 202, an REC (remote encoding center)automation system 204, a keyer control center 206, and/or a keyer desk208.

In operation, the MPE 202 may be unable to resolve a mail piece scanimage and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. Amanual REC can include a keyer control center 206 that can receiverequests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distributethe images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which isgiven by keyer desk 208. The REC automation system 204 can interceptand/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the MPE 202before the image is received by the manual REC at the keyer controlcenter 206.

The REC automation system 204 can perform automated mail recognitionprocessing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan imageaccording to the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. If the RECautomation system 204 is able to successfully process the mail piecescan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted tothe MPE 202. If the REC automation system 204 is unable to process themail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted by the RECautomation system 204 to the keyer control center 206 so that manualprocessing can be performed.

The keyer control center 206 can transmit the mail piece scan image tothe keyer desk 208. At keyer desk 208, a mail piece scan image can bedisplayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer canmanually enter or key in the addressing information contained in theimage. The keyer control center 206 can receive the manually keyed inaddressing information from the keyer desk 208 and can transmit thisaddressing information to the MPE 202.

It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted bythe MPE 202 can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automationsystem 204 such that the configurations of the MPE 202 and/or the keyercontrol center 206 need not be substantially altered. For example, theconfiguration of the network connecting the MPE 202 and the keyercontrol center 206 can be altered such that all messages sent by the MPE202 to the keyer control center 206 are redirected to and/or routedthrough the REC automation system 204. For example, a network switch canbe configured to redirect manual mail processing requests to the RECautomation system 204. In another example, the REC automation system 204can act as a network switch and/or router and can intercept and/orcapture any manual mail processing requests being transmitted to themanual REC.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, or any other addressing information contained within the mailpiece scan image.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE requestintercepting automated remote encoding system. System 300 can include anMPE (mail processing equipment) 302, an REC (remote encoding center)automation system 304, a keyer control center 306, and/or a keyer desk308.

In operation, the MPE 302 may be unable to resolve a mail piece scanimage and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. Amanual REC can include a keyer control center 306 that can receiverequests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distributethe images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which isgiven by keyer desk 308. The REC automation system 304 can interceptand/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the MPE 302before the image is received by the manual REC at the keyer controlcenter 306.

The REC automation system 304 can perform automated mail recognitionprocessing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan imageaccording to the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. If the RECautomation system 304 is able to successfully process the mail piecescan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted tothe MPE 302. If the REC automation system 304 is unable to process themail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted by the RECautomation system 304 to the keyer control center 306 so that manualprocessing can be performed.

The keyer control center 306 can transmit the mail piece scan image tothe keyer desk 308. At keyer desk 308, a mail piece scan image can bedisplayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer canmanually enter or key in the addressing information contained in theimage. The keyer control center 306 can receive the manually keyed inaddressing information from the keyer desk 308 and can transmit thisaddressing information to the MPE 302. The REC automation system 304 canalso intercept and/or capture the manually entered addressinginformation transmitted by the keyer control center 306 to the MPE 302.

The REC automation system 304 can log and/or store the interceptedand/or captured the manually entered addressing information such thatthe addressing information can be associated with the mail piece scanimage in order to improve the automated mail recognition processingemployed by the REC automation system. The REC automation system cantransmit the manually entered addressing information to the MPE 302.

It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted bythe MPE 302 can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automationsystem 304 such that the configurations of the MPE 302 and/or the keyercontrol center 306 need not be substantially altered. For example, theconfiguration of the network connecting the MPE 302 and the keyercontrol center 306 can be altered such that all messages sent by the MPE302 to the keyer control center 306 are redirected to and/or routedthrough the REC automation system 304. For example, a network switch canbe configured to redirect manual mail processing requests to the RECautomation system 304. In another example, the REC automation system 304can act as a network switch and/or router and can intercept and/orcapture any manual mail processing requests being transmitted to themanual REC.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, or any other addressing information contained within the mailpiece scan image.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer requestintercepting automated remote encoding system. System 400 can include anMPE (mail processing equipment) 402, a REC (remote encoding center)automation system 404, a keyer control center 406, and/or a keyer desk408.

In operation, the MPE 402 may be unable to resolve a mail piece scanimage and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. Amanual REC can include a keyer control center 406 that can receiverequests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distributethe images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which isgiven by keyer desk 408. The MPE 402 can transmit a mail piece scanimage to the keyer control center 406 for manual processing and thekeyer control center 406 can transmit the mail piece scan to the keyerdesk 408. The REC automation system 404 can intercept and/or captureeach mail piece scan image transmitted by the keyer control center 406before the image is received by the keyer desk 408.

The REC automation system 404 can perform automated mail recognitionprocessing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan imageaccording to the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. If the RECautomation system 404 is able to successfully process the mail piecescan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted tothe keyer control center 404. If the REC automation system 204 is unableto process the mail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted bythe REC automation system 404 to the keyer desk 208 so that manualprocessing can be performed.

At keyer desk 408, a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a humankeyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key inthe addressing information contained in the image. The keyer controlcenter 406 can receive the manually keyed in addressing information fromthe keyer desk 408 and can transmit this addressing information to theMPE 402.

It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted bythe keyer control center 406 can be intercepted and/or captured by theREC automation system 404 such that the configurations of the keyercontrol center 406 and/or the keyer desk 408 need not be substantiallyaltered. For example, the configuration of the network connecting thekeyer desk 408 and the keyer control center 406 can be altered such thatall messages sent by the keyer control center 406 to the keyer desk 408are redirected to and/or routed through the REC automation system 404.For example, a network switch can be configured to redirect manual mailprocessing requests to the REC automation system 404. In anotherexample, the REC automation system 404 can act as a network switchand/or router and can intercept and/or capture any manual mailprocessing requests being transmitted to the manual REC.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, or any other addressing information contained within the mailpiece scan image.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer requestintercepting automated remote encoding system. System 500 can include anMPE (mail processing equipment) 502, a REC (remote encoding center)automation system 504, a keyer control center 506, and/or a keyer desk508.

In operation, the MPE 502 may be unable to resolve a mail piece scanimage and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. Amanual REC can include a keyer control center 506 that can receiverequests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distributethe images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which isgiven by keyer desk 508. The MPE 502 can transmit a mail piece scanimage to the keyer control center 406 for manual processing and thekeyer control center 506 can transmit the mail piece scan to the keyerdesk 508. The REC automation system 504 can intercept and/or captureeach mail piece scan image transmitted by the keyer control center 506before the image is received by the keyer desk 508.

The REC automation system 404 can perform automated mail recognitionprocessing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan imageaccording to the processes shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. If the RECautomation system 504 is able to successfully process the mail piecescan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted tothe keyer control center 504. If the REC automation system 504 is unableto process the mail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted bythe REC automation system 404 to the keyer desk 508 so that manualprocessing can be performed.

At keyer desk 508, a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a humankeyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key inthe addressing information contained in the image. The keyer controlcenter 506 can receive the manually keyed in addressing information fromthe keyer desk 508 and can transmit this addressing information to theMPE 502. The REC automation system 504 can also intercept and/or capturethe manually entered addressing information transmitted by the keyerdesk 508 to the keyer control center 506.

The REC automation system 504 can log and/or store the interceptedand/or captured the manually entered addressing information such thatthe addressing information can be associated with the mail piece scanimage in order to improve the automated mail recognition processingemployed by the REC automation system. The REC automation system cantransmit the manually entered addressing information to the keyercontrol center 506.

It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted bythe keyer control center 506 can be intercepted and/or captured by theREC automation system 504 such that the configurations of the keyercontrol center 506 and/or the keyer desk 508 need not be substantiallyaltered. For example, the configuration of the network connecting thekeyer desk 508 and the keyer control center 506 can be altered such thatall messages sent by the keyer control center 506 to the keyer desk 508are redirected to and/or routed through the REC automation system 504.For example, a network switch can be configured to redirect manual mailprocessing requests to the REC automation system 504. In anotherexample, the REC automation system 504 can act as a network switchand/or router and can intercept and/or capture any manual mailprocessing requests being transmitted to the manual REC.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, or any other addressing information contained within the mailpiece scan image.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automatedremote encoding system embedded within a keyer control center system.System 600 can include an MPE (mail processing equipment) 602, a keyercontrol center 606, and/or a keyer desk 608. The keyer control center606 can include a REC (remote encoding center) automation system 604.

In operation, the MPE 602 may be unable to resolve a mail piece scanimage and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. Amanual REC can include a keyer control center 606 that can receiverequests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distributethe images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which isgiven by keyer desk 608. The REC automation system 604 can interceptand/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the MPE 602 atthe keyer control center 306.

The REC automation system 604 can prevent the keyer control center 606from distributing the mail piece scan image to a keyer desk and canperform automated mail recognition processing on the intercepted and/orcaptured mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in FIGS.8, 9, and 10. If the REC automation system 604 is able to successfullyprocess the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portionscan be transmitted to the MPE 602. If the REC automation system 604 isunable to process the mail piece scan image, the keyer control center606 can resume processing of the mail piece scan image and distributethe image to a keyer desk so that manual processing can be performed.

The keyer control center 606 can transmit the mail piece scan image tothe keyer desk 608. At keyer desk 608, a mail piece scan image can bedisplayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer canmanually enter or key in the addressing information contained in theimage. The keyer control center 606 can receive the manually keyed inaddressing information from the keyer desk 608 and can transmit thisaddressing information to the MPE 602. The REC automation system 604 canalso intercept and/or capture the manually entered addressinginformation transmitted by the keyer control center 606 to the MPE 602.

The REC automation system 604 can log and/or store the interceptedand/or captured the manually entered addressing information such thatthe addressing information can be associated with the mail piece scanimage in order to improve the automated mail recognition processingemployed by the REC automation system. The REC automation system cantransmit the manually entered addressing information to the MPE 602.

It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted bythe MPE 602 can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automationsystem 604 such that the configurations of the MPE 602 and/or the keyercontrol center 606 need not be substantially altered. For example,network components can be configured such that messages sent by the MPE602 to the keyer control center 606 are routed to a different networkport on the keyer control center 606 that can be used by the RECautomation system 604.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, or any other addressing information contained within the mailpiece scan image.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of anautomated remote encoding system embedded within a keyer desk system.System 700 can include an MPE (mail processing equipment) 702, a keyercontrol center 706, and/or a keyer desk 708. The keyer desk 708 caninclude a REC (remote encoding center) automation system 704.

In operation, the MPE 702 may be unable to resolve a mail piece scanimage and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. Amanual REC can include a keyer control center 706 that can receiverequests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distributethe images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which isgiven by keyer desk 708. The MPE 702 can transmit a mail piece scanimage to the keyer control center 706 for manual processing and thekeyer control center 706 can transmit the mail piece scan to the keyerdesk 708. The REC automation system 704 can prevent the keyer desk 708from displaying the mail piece scan image to the human keyer (user).

The REC automation system 704 can perform automated mail recognitionprocessing on the mail piece scan image according to the processes shownin FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. If the REC automation system 404 is able tosuccessfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognizedaddress portions can be sent to the keyer desk software component viakeystroke events that emulate the keystrokes that the human keyer (user)is required to enter. If the REC automation system 204 is unable toprocess the mail piece scan image, the keyer desk 708 can be allowed todisplay the mail piece scan image to the human keyer (user) for visualinspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressinginformation contained in the image. The keyer control center 706 canreceive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk708 and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE 702.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, or any other addressing information contained within the mailpiece scan image.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for retrofitting alegacy manual remote encoding center with automated mail recognitionprocessing. Processing begins at 802 and continues to 804.

At 804, an originating MPE fails to resolve a mail piece scan image andrequests manual mail recognition processing a manual REC. MPE resolveaddressing information contained within mail piece scan images usingsoftware similar to optical character recognition, barcode reading,database queries, or other similar techniques. A mail piece scan imagecan include a digital image of a portion of a mail piece containingaddressing information. The originating MPE may be unable to resolvesome mail piece scan images and for these unresolved images theoriginating MPE can request manual mail recognition processing by ahuman keyer at a manual REC. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, a manualREC can include a keyer control center (e.g. 206, 306, 406, and 506)that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scanimages and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks(e.g. 208, 308, 408, and 508). Processing continues to 806.

At 806, the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing isintercepted and/or captured at the REC automation system. The requestfor manual mail recognition processing is intercepted and/or capturedbefore the request is received by the keyer control center (e.g. 206 and306), as shown FIGS. 2 and 3, or before the request is received by thekeyer desk (e.g. 408 and 508), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Interceptionand/or capture can be achieved with minimal and/or insubstantial changesto the configuration of the MPE, the keyer control center or keyerdesks. For example, networking components can be configured to redirectall requests for manual mail recognition processing being transmittedbetween the MPE and the keyer control center to the REC automationsystem. In another example, networking components can be configured toredirect all requests for manual mail recognition processing beingtransmitted between the keyer control center and the keyer desks to theREC automation system. Processing continues to 808.

At 808, automated mail recognition processing is performed on the mailpiece scan image. If automated mail recognition processing issuccessful, a plurality of computer recognized addressing portions iscreated corresponding to the addressing information written and/orprinted on the mail piece associated with the mail piece scan image. Ifthe automated mail recognition processing is successful a mail piecescan image processing result can be generated containing the computerrecognized address portions. Processing continues to 810.

At 810, a decision is made based on the result at 808. Processingcontinues to 812 if processing at 808 was successful (the REC automationsystem was able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image) andto 814 if processing at 808 was not successful (the REC automationsystem was unable to resolve the mail piece scan image).

At 812, the mail piece scan image processing result is transmitted tothe originating MPE. Processing continues to 816, where processing ends.

At 814, the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing isforwarded to a component in the manual REC so that manual processing bya human keyer can be performed. The request can be forwarded to thekeyer control center (e.g. 206 and 306), as shown FIGS. 2 and 3, or tothe keyer desk (e.g. 408 and 508), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Processingcontinues to 816, where processing ends.

It will be appreciated that operations 804-814 may be repeated in wholeor in part (an example of which is indicated by line 818) to processmultiple mail piece scan images.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, and/or any other addressing information contained within themail piece scan image.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for injectingautomated mail recognition processing into an existing manual RECsystem. Processing begins at 902 and continues to 904.

At 904, an originating MPE fails to resolve a mail piece scan image andrequests manual mail recognition processing a manual REC. MPE resolveaddressing information contained within mail piece scan images usingsoftware similar to optical character recognition, barcode reading,database queries, or other similar techniques. A mail piece scan imagecan include a digital image of a portion of a mail piece containingaddressing information. The originating MPE may be unable to resolvesome mail piece scan images and for these unresolved images theoriginating MPE can request manual mail recognition processing by ahuman keyer at a manual REC. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, a manualREC can include a keyer control center (e.g. 206, 306, 406, and 506)that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scanimages and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks(e.g. 208, 308, 408, and 508). Processing continues to 906.

At 906, the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing isintercepted and/or captured at the REC automation system. The requestfor manual mail recognition processing is intercepted and/or capturedbefore the request is received by the keyer control center (e.g. 206 and306), as shown FIGS. 2 and 3, or before the request is received by thekeyer desk (e.g. 408 and 508), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Interceptionand/or capture can be achieved with minimal and/or insubstantial changesto the configuration of the MPE, the keyer control center or keyerdesks. For example, networking components can be configured to redirectall requests for manual mail recognition processing being transmittedbetween the MPE and the keyer control center to the REC automationsystem. In another example, networking components can be configured toredirect all requests for manual mail recognition processing beingtransmitted between the keyer control center and the keyer desks to theREC automation system. Processing continues to 908.

At 908, automated mail recognition processing is performed on the mailpiece scan image. If automated mail recognition processing issuccessful, a plurality of computer recognized addressing portions iscreated corresponding to the addressing information written and/orprinted on the mail piece associated with the mail piece scan image. Ifthe automated mail recognition processing is successful a mail piecescan image processing result can be generated containing the computerrecognized address portions. Processing continues to 910.

At 910, a decision is made based on the result at 908. Processingcontinues to 912 if processing at 908 was successful (the REC automationsystem was able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image) andto 914 if processing at 908 was not successful (the REC automationsystem was unable to resolve the mail piece scan image).

At 914, the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing isforwarded to a component in the manual REC so that manual processing bya human keyer can be performed. The request can be forwarded to thekeyer control center (e.g. 206 and 306), as shown FIGS. 2 and 3, or tothe keyer desk (e.g. 408 and 508), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Processingcontinues to 916, where processing ends.

At 916, the processing result generated by the component in the manualREC to which the MPE request was forwarded at 914 is intercepted and/orcaptured at the REC automation system. Processing continues to 912.

At 912, the processing result is transmitted from the REC automationsystem to the originating MPE. Processing continues to 918, whereprocessing ends.

It will be appreciated that operations 904-916 may be repeated in wholeor in part (an example of which is indicated by line 920) to processmultiple mail piece scan images.

It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved byprocessing the mail piece scan image can include the full destinationaddress, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destinationeleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full returnaddress, and/or any other addressing information contained within themail piece scan image.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for embeddingautomated mail recognition processing into an existing manual RECsystem. Processing begins at 1002 and continues to 1004.

At 1004, a mail piece scan image is sent to a keyer desk for manualprocessing including visual inspection and manual keyboard entry by ahuman keyer. A keyer desk software component causes the mail piece scanimage to be displayed on a computer display component and waits toreceive processing results to be keyed in by the human keyer (user).Processing continues to 1006.

At 1006, the REC automation system component can detect a request by thekeyer desk software component to display the mail piece scan image andthe REC automation system component can prevent the mail piece scanimage from being displayed. Processing continues to 1008.

At 1008, the mail piece scan image can be read from memory by the RECautomation system component. A copy of the mail piece scan image can becreated. Processing continues to 1010.

At 1010, automated recognition processing is performed on the mail piecescan image by the REC automation system component. Processing continuesto 1012.

At 1012, a decision is made based on the result at 1010. Processingcontinues to 1014 if processing at 1010 was successful (the RECautomation system component was able to successfully resolve the mailpiece scan image) and to 1016 if processing at 1010 was not successful(the REC automation system component was unable to resolve the mailpiece scan image).

At 1014, the automated recognition processing result is sent to thekeyer desk software component. Processing continues to 1018, whereprocessing ends.

At 1016, the keyer desk software component is allowed to display themail piece scan image on the computer display for manual processing bythe human keyer (user). Processing continues to 1018, where processingends.

It will be appreciated that operations 1004-1016 may be repeated inwhole or in part (an example of which is indicated by line 1020) toprocess multiple mail piece scan images.

It will be appreciated that sending the automated recognition processingresult to the keyer desk software component can include sendingkeystroke events to the keyer desk software component in a manner thatemulates the keypresses required of the human keyer (user) when manuallyresolving the mail piece image.

It will also be appreciated that the REC automation system component candelegate mail recognition processing of the mail piece scan image bytransmitting the mail piece scan image to an automated mail recognitionprocessing system and receiving an automated mail recognition processingsystem response from the automated mail recognition processing system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automatedremote encoding system. System 1100 can include a computer 1102 that caninclude a processor 1104 and a memory 1106. The computer 1102 canreceive mail piece scan images from and/or transmit mail piece scanimage processing results to one or more MPE (or mail processingequipment) 1108. The computer 1102 can transmit mail piece scan imagesto and/or receive mail piece scan image manual processing results from amanual REC 1108.

In operation, the processor 1104 will execute instructions stored on thememory 1106 that cause the computer 1102 to receive mail piece scanimages from and/or transmit mail piece scan image processing results toand/or one or more mail processing equipment 1108 and transmit mailpiece scan images to and/or receive mail piece scan image manualprocessing results from the manual REC 1110 according to the processesshown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

It will be appreciated that the mail processing equipment 1108 may beattached to the system using any connection type such as, but notlimited to, a network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or any other wired or wirelessconnection now known or later developed.

It will also be appreciated that the manual REC 1110 may be attached tothe system using any connection type such as, but not limited to, anetwork, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), anintranet, the Internet, or any other wired or wireless connection nowknown or later developed.

It will also be appreciated that one or more components of the manualREC 1110 may be a software component included as part of theinstructions stored on the memory 1106 executed by the processor 1104.For example, the REC automation system can run as a software componenton the same system as the keyer control center 606 and/or the keyer desk708, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

It will be appreciated that the modules, processes, systems, andsections described above can be implemented in hardware, hardwareprogrammed by software, software instructions stored on a nontransitorycomputer readable medium or a combination of the above. A remoteencoding center automation system, for example, can include using aprocessor configured to execute a sequence of programmed instructionsstored on a nontransitory computer readable medium. For example, theprocessor can include, but not be limited to, a personal computer orworkstation or other such computing system that includes a processor,microprocessor, microcontroller device, or is comprised of control logicincluding integrated circuits such as, for example, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The instructions can be compiledfrom source code instructions provided in accordance with a programminglanguage such as Java, C++, C#.net or the like. The instructions canalso comprise code and data objects provided in accordance with, forexample, the Visual Basic™ language, or another structured orobject-oriented programming language. The sequence of programmedinstructions and data associated therewith can be stored in anontransitory computer-readable medium such as a computer memory ortransponder device which may be any suitable memory apparatus, such as,but not limited to ROM, PROM, EEPROM, RAM, flash memory, disk drive andthe like.

Furthermore, the modules, processes systems, and sections can beimplemented as a single processor or as a distributed processor.Further, it should be appreciated that the steps mentioned above may beperformed on a single or distributed processor (single and/ormulti-core, or cloud computing system). Also, the processes, systemcomponents, modules, and sub-modules described in the various figures ofand for embodiments above may be distributed across multiple computersor systems or may be co-located in a single processor or system.Exemplary structural embodiment alternatives suitable for implementingthe modules, sections, systems, means, or processes described herein areprovided below.

The modules, processors or systems described above can be implemented asa programmed general purpose computer, an electronic device programmedwith microcode, a hard-wired analog logic circuit, software stored on acomputer-readable medium or signal, an optical computing device, anetworked system of electronic and/or optical devices, a special purposecomputing device, an integrated circuit device, a semiconductor chip,and a software module or object stored on a computer-readable medium orsignal, for example.

Embodiments of the method and system (or their sub-components ormodules), may be implemented on a general-purpose computer, aspecial-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontrollerand peripheral integrated circuit element, an ASIC or other integratedcircuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logiccircuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmed logic circuitsuch as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, or the like. In general, any processorcapable of implementing the functions or steps described herein can beused to implement embodiments of the method, system, or a computerprogram product (software program stored on a nontransitory computerreadable medium).

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computerprogram product may be readily implemented, fully or partially, insoftware using, for example, object or object-oriented softwaredevelopment environments that provide portable source code that can beused on a variety of computer platforms. Alternatively, embodiments ofthe disclosed method, system, and computer program product can beimplemented partially or fully in hardware using, for example, standardlogic circuits or a VLSI design. Other hardware or software can be usedto implement embodiments depending on the speed and/or efficiencyrequirements of the systems, the particular function, and/or particularsoftware or hardware system, microprocessor, or microcomputer beingutilized. Embodiments of the method, system, and computer programproduct can be implemented in hardware and/or software using any knownor later developed systems or structures, devices and/or software bythose of ordinary skill in the applicable art from the functiondescription provided herein and with a general basic knowledge of thecomputer programming and postal address recognition arts.

Moreover, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computerprogram product can be implemented in software executed on a programmedgeneral purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor,or the like.

It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance withthe various embodiments disclosed herein, computer systems, methods andsoftware for remote encoding center automation.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number ofembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in theapplicable arts. Accordingly, Applicants intend to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system configured to provide automatedmail recognition processing to a legacy manual mail recognitionprocessing system, said computer system comprising: a processor; and amemory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored thereinsoftware instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform operations including receiving, at a networkcontrol center, a manual mail recognition processing request from anoriginating mail processing component, preventing, at a network controlcenter, a network user from accessing the manual mail recognitionprocessing request received from an originating mail processingcomponent by directing the manual mail recognition processing requestaway from a desk of the network user before the manual mail recognitionprocessing request is sent to the desk of the network user, said manualmail recognition processing request being a request for manualprocessing of said mail piece scan image by a human, said manual mailrecognition processing request including a mail piece scan image, andsaid mail piece scan image including a digital image of at least aportion of a mail piece, and determining correct addressing informationfor said mail piece scan image using an automated mail recognitionsystem component in response to said request for manual processing ofsaid mail piece scan image by a human.
 2. The computer system of claim1, wherein said operations further include receiving an automated mailrecognition processing response from said automated mail recognitionprocessing system component, said automated mail recognition processingresponse includes automatically recognized addressing data correspondingto said mail piece scan image when said automated mail recognitionprocessing system component successfully resolves said mail piece scanimage, and said automatically recognized addressing data includes adestination ZIP code of said mail piece.
 3. The computer system of claim1, wherein said operations further include receiving an automated mailrecognition processing response from said automated mail recognitionprocessing system component, said automated mail recognition processingresponse includes automatically recognized addressing data correspondingto said mail piece scan image when said automated mail recognitionprocessing system component successfully resolves said mail piece scanimage, and said automatically recognized addressing data includes adestination ZIP+4 code of said mail piece.
 4. The computer system ofclaim 1, wherein said operations further include receiving an automatedmail recognition processing response from said automated mailrecognition processing system component, said automated mail recognitionprocessing response including automatically recognized addressing datacorresponding to said mail piece scan image when said automated mailrecognition processing system component successfully resolves said mailpiece scan image, and said automatically recognized addressing dataincludes a destination eleven digit ZIP code of said mail piece, saideleven digit zip code including a ZIP+4 code and a two digit deliverypoint.
 5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said operationsfurther include receiving an automated mail recognition processingresponse from said automated mail recognition processing system, saidautomated mail recognition processing response includes automaticallyrecognized addressing data corresponding to said mail piece scan imagewhen said automated mail recognition processing system componentsuccessfully resolves said mail piece scan image, and said automaticallyrecognized addressing data includes a destination mailing address ofsaid mail piece.
 6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein, when saidautomated mail recognition processing system component is not able tosuccessfully determine said correct addressing information for said mailpiece image, said operations further include, receiving a manual mailrecognition system response from said manual mail recognition system,said manual mail recognition system response containing manually keyedaddressing data, and said manually keyed addressing data correspondingto said mail piece; and transmitting said manual mail recognition systemresponse to said originating mail processing component.
 7. A method forretrofitting a legacy manual mail recognition system with automated mailrecognition processing without substantially altering the configurationof said existing legacy manual mail recognition system, the methodcomprising: receiving, at a network control center, a mail piece scanimage manual processing request from an originating mail processingcomponent, preventing, at the network control center, a network userfrom accessing the mail piece scan image manual processing request at anetwork component by directing the mail piece scan image manualprocessing request away from a desk of the network user before the mailpiece scan image manual processing request is sent to the desk of thenetwork user; and reading said mail piece scan image manual processingrequest from memory by an automated recognition processing systemcomponent, said mail piece scan image manual processing request beingtransmitted by a requesting mail processing component, said mail piecescan image manual processing request being associated with a mail piecescan image, said mail piece scan image including an image of at least aportion of a mail piece, and said mail piece scan image manualprocessing request requesting manual mail recognition processing to beperformed on said mail piece scan image by a human.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: processing, at said automated recognitionprocessing system component, said mail piece scan image, said processingincluding creating automatically recognized address information whensaid processing is successful, and said automatically recognized addressinformation corresponding to addressing information of said mail piececaptured in said mail piece scan image.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein said processing of said mail piece scan image further includesperforming, at said automated recognition processing system component,mail recognition processing on said mail piece scan image.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising: processing, at said automatedrecognition processing system component, said mail piece scan image,wherein said processing includes creating automatically recognizedaddress information when said processing is successful, and saidautomatically recognized address information includes a destination ZIPcode of said mail piece.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:processing, at said automated recognition processing system component,said mail piece scan image, wherein said processing includes creatingautomatically recognized address information when said processing issuccessful, and said automatically recognized address informationincludes a destination ZIP+4 code of said mail piece.
 12. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: processing, at said automated recognitionprocessing system component, said mail piece scan image, wherein saidprocessing includes creating automatically recognized addressinformation when said processing is successful, and said automaticallyrecognized address information includes a destination eleven digit ZIPcode of said mail piece, said eleven digit zip code including a ZIP+4code and a two digit delivery point.
 13. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: when said processing is unsuccessful, receiving a manualmail recognition system response from said manual mail recognitionsystem, said manual mail recognition system response containing amanually keyed addressing information, said manually keyed addressinginformation corresponding to said mail piece scan image; andtransmitting said manual mail recognition system response to saidoriginating mail processing component.
 14. The method of claim 7, wheresaid network component is a switch.
 15. The method of claim 7, wheresaid network component is a router.
 16. A nontransitory computerreadable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, whenexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to perform operationscomprising: receiving, at a user control center, a manual mailrecognition processing request from an originating mail processingcomponent, preventing, at the user control center, a user from accessingthe manual mail recognition processing request by directing the manualmail recognition processing request away from a desk of the user beforethe manual mail recognition processing request is sent to the desk ofthe user, the manual mail recognition processing request requestingmanual processing of a mail piece scan image, and said manual mailrecognition processing request being transmitted by an originating mailprocessing component; and in response to the manual mail recognitionprocessing request, reading said mail piece scan image from memory by anon-manual mail recognition processing system.
 17. The computer readablemedium of claim 16, wherein said operations further comprise: when saidnon-manual mail recognition processing system is not able tosuccessfully process said mail piece image, intercepting a manual mailrecognition system response from said manual mail recognition system,said manual mail recognition system response containing a plurality ofaddressing data corresponding to said mail piece scan image; andtransmitting at least a portion of said plurality of addressing data tosaid originating mail processing component.
 18. The computer readablemedium of claim 17, wherein said plurality of addressing datacorresponding to said mail piece scan image includes a destination ZIPcode of said mail piece.